Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Targets Legislative Majority to Revamp Economy and Bolster Military Stance Toward China

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a conservative figure and the nation’s first female leader, holds an approval rating exceeding 60 percent.

As Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi approaches the snap elections scheduled for this Sunday, she benefits from strong public support and appears poised, based on polls, to increase the governing coalition’s slim majority in the Lower House of Parliament.

Economic Reforms and Public Support

The conservative politician enjoys approval above 60 percent and significant backing from younger voters, according to surveys such as one conducted by the Mainichi newspaper last Thursday. She has advocated for an expansive fiscal approach to address ongoing inflation and declining wages.

“Up to now, excessive austerity has been enforced, with spending cuts at all costs. This austerity mindset, combined with insufficient investment in the future, accounts for Japan’s current weak economic performance,” she stated during a campaign event in Kagoshima prefecture yesterday.

A devoted admirer of Margaret Thatcher, a heavy metal band drummer during her university years, and a former news anchor, Takaichi joined the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 1996. Last October, she made history as the first woman to lead both the party and the country.

Just three months into her tenure, Takaichi aims to convert her higher personal popularity into parliamentary seats for the LDP, which has held power almost continuously since 1955 but finds itself in the minority in the Upper House following several electoral setbacks that prompted the resignation of her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba.

The latest poll from the Mainichi newspaper projects that the LDP could secure an absolute majority on its own and potentially exceed 300 of the 465 seats. Combined with its ally, the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), the coalition is on track to claim two-thirds of the Lower House.

Political Challenges and Immigration Focus

Takaichi’s primary opposition comes from the newly formed Centrist Reformist Alliance, created by the merger of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and the Buddhist Komeito, which had been an LDP ally for nearly three decades but split after Takaichi’s election as leader.

Nevertheless, polls like the one from Mainichi anticipate stagnation for Komeito and a substantial decline for the CDP. “We are at a critical juncture,” acknowledged CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda on Friday, without conceding defeat.

Beyond Takaichi’s outcomes, focus also turns to the populist Sanseito party. Strongly opposed to immigration, polls forecast that the group will expand on its gains from last year in the Upper House, where it won 15 seats in partial elections.

Immigration has emerged as a key issue in this shortest campaign since World War II, alongside economic growth and inflationary pressures on households.

Shinzo Abe, the assassinated former prime minister and Takaichi’s mentor, “expanded the intake of foreign workers, and that number has grown to over a million immigrants,” noted Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya at the campaign’s start. “I don’t think that was right,” he added.

When questioned on the topic Thursday, Takaichi stated that “the LDP does not promote so-called immigration policies at all” and will implement “strict measures against illegal activities and rule violations by foreigners.”

Her administration proposed a set of measures two weeks ago to tighten migration laws, including stricter requirements for obtaining Japanese nationality.

Market Instability and Geopolitical Tensions

Since Takaichi assumed office in October, Japan has experienced ongoing yen depreciation and rising bond yields, reaching multi-decade highs amid concerns over the fiscal health of the world’s most indebted major economy.

These elections follow months of strained relations between Tokyo and Beijing, stemming from Takaichi’s remarks.

In November, the prime minister indicated that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces could intervene in a Chinese military assault on Taiwan, prompting strong objections from the Asian giant and subsequent economic and political retaliations.